Cinema VinesIn a move that has drawn the attention of Mumbai’s cinema-goers, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sealed the food and beverage counters at the INOX multiplex located in R City Mall, Ghatkopar, for a period of five days. The FDA’s action came after a routine inspection on 9 October, during which the department cited non‑compliance with several food safety and hygiene regulations. The multiplex remained operational, but patrons were denied the option to purchase snacks and drinks on site.
Sources close to the FDA said that the decision to shut the food counters was part of a broader crackdown led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has been at the helm of the agency since May 2026. Under his leadership, the FDA has intensified inspections across the state, targeting restaurants and dark‑store operations run by quick‑commerce firms for alleged violations of food safety norms. The INOX incident is the latest example of the agency’s aggressive enforcement strategy.
In an unusual development, the multiplex management reportedly allowed visitors to bring in outside food during the closure—a practice that is normally prohibited. However, the claim has not been independently verified. The F&B area was reopened on 13 October, restoring the ability to sell food items to theatre patrons.
The temporary shutdown of a key revenue stream for the multiplex highlights the impact of the FDA’s tightening of food safety standards. While the exact nature of the violations that prompted the action remains undisclosed, the incident underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring compliance across the entertainment and hospitality sectors in Maharashtra.
